Frame for stretching doilies



Sept. 8, 1936. 4 4 w v s 2,053,465

FRAME FOR STRETGHING DOILIES Filed Jan. 51, 1935 Patented Sept. 8, 1936 rice 1 Claim.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in a frame for stretching doilies or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a stretching frame composed of frame units which are interconnected and capable of being shifted to different set positions, and wherein each frame unit is provided with means for separately and individually supporting fabric attaching devices, which means enables the fabric attaching devices to be selectively positioned for connection to the marginal edge portion of curved or irregular shaped articles.

In the drawing- Figure 1 is a plan view of a stretching frame illustrating one embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

The stretching frame as illustrated consists of four frame units, each of which is indicated at 8 in the drawing. These frame units are all similarly shaped. Each frame unit has the inner edge 8a thereof straight, and extending along this edge is a metal strip is which is secured to the edge of the frame unit by suitable screws Illa. This metal strip is shaped so as to provide an offset rib serving as a means for interconnecting the same to the end portion of another frame unit. Each frame unit 3 also has one end thereof straight, as indicated at l2. This edge l2 at the end of the unit and the side edge 8a, as shown in the drawing, are at right angles to each other. If other than four frame units are used, then the angle between the end edge and the side edge would be either an acute angle or on obtuse angle, depending upon the number of frame units assembled. It is essential, however, that both the end edge and the side edge shall be straight.

A metal strip is secured to the end of each frame unit as indicated at it. This metal strip is shaped so that it will have telescoping engagement with the rib iii extending along the adjacent side of another frame unit. The metal strip l t is secured to the frame unit by suitable screws. As clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2, the metal strip at the end of one frame unit is engaged with the metal strip extending along the side of another unit. The member abutting against the side edge of a frame unit is capable of adjustment along said side edge to different set positions.

In order to secure the frame units in a set position, a holding member if is provided, which, as shown in the drawing, is in the form of a rod with the ends thereof bent at right angles, and

the rod is so dimensioned that the ends thereof can be inserted in holes in the frame units. This prevents the frame units from any sliding movement on each other, and will hold said units in a fixed set position.

Each frame unit is not only longitudinally extended, but it is also laterally extended so as to provide a relatively wide flat face to which fabric holding devices may be secured. The fabric holding devices, as shown in the drawing, are in the form of pins 7'. The frame unit is provided with a multitude of holes indicated at I. These holes, as shown in the drawing, are arranged in rows and are spaced from each other in the rows. The pins may be selectively inserted in the holes, and the holes are of such depth that the pins project above the fiat upper face of the frame units. Each pin is pointed so as to facilitate the penetration of the fabric article which is to be stretched. While the holes are shown in parallel rows and equally spaced in the drawing, it will be understood, of course, that they may be otherwise positioned. It is essential, however, that there shall be spaced holes extending in a lateral direction from the inner edge of the frame unit as well as holes extending in spaced relation longitudinally of the frame unit.

Each hole serves as a means for individually and separately supporting a pin which is the fabric attaching device. When it is desired to stretch a doily having a curved marginal line or an irregular shaped marginal line, the frame units are shifted to a set position so that the marginal edge of the doily will overlie the flat faces of the frame units. In other words, it is desired to have the opening between the frame units as large as possible, and at the same time, secure the marginal edge portion of the doily at closely spaced points all the way around said edge portion. The doily before it is laundered may be laid on the frame and the pins inserted in holes selected so that the attaching pins will engage the article very close to the marginal edge thereof. Each frame unit is provided with sufiicient holes so that for curved shapes and irregular shapes, these pins may be selectively and closely spaced in a row conforming to the marginal outline of the article in its desired stretched condition. The article after laundering is placed on the set pins, and upon drying, the doily will be properly stretched and shaped.

The frame units are in abutted relation to each other, and the flat faces containing the holes all lie in the same plane, and this enables the doily to be firmly attached to the frame at very close intervals..

It is understood that the frame units may be shaped at their outer edges in any desired way; other means may be provided for connecting the frame units and for maintaining the same in a set position. It is also understood that other forms of attaching devices may be used and the means for removably supporting the attaching devices may be varied. It is essential, however, that the supporting means shall be located at spaced intervals both laterally and longitudinally of the frame units.

1 claim:

A frame for stretching doilies and the like comprising a plurality of frame units of similar shape, each frame unit being longitudinally extended and relatively wide and having a flat face, means for adjustably interconnecting said frame units in abutted relation whereby said units may be shifted to different set positions and whereby the flat faces of said frame units are disposed in the same plane, devices for engaging the fabric to be stretched, means for individually securing said devices to said flat portions, the individual securing means being spaced from each other longitudinally and laterally of each frame unit whereby said fabric securing devices may be selectively positioned for engagement with the marginal edge of an article of curved or irregular outline.

WILLIAM LEIGH DAVIS. 

